Photographic-printing machine.



J. L. HIGGINBOTH AM.

PHOTOGRAPHIG PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 7, 1912.

Patented Dec. 30, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES:

-mqwiw W WW" COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO.,WASHINCITDN, Dv c.

'nwmm JuDsoN L. HIGGINBOTHAM J. L. HIGGINBOTHAM. v PHOTQGRAPHIG PRINTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 7, 1912.

3 8HEETSSHEET 2.

/ J'l W is 217/ i 20 1;

m as

WITNESSE INVENTOR JuosoN L.. HIGGINBOTHAM' ATTRNEY HIGGINBOTHAM. P PHIO PRINTING MA 3.

TION FILED MAY 7, 1 1,082,748, Patented Dec. 30, 1913.

3 SHEBTS-SHBET 3.

mu mm Min WITNESSES: IIVI/ENTOR J \A 41 I v a. MM

A DRIVE)- JuosoN L. HIGQINBOTHAM UNITED STAClE S IAIENT OFFICE.

JUDSON L. HIGGINBOTHAM, OF DALLAS, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-SIXTH TO JOHN M. SPELLMAN AND QNE-SIXTH. TO J. S. MURRAY, OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

PHOTOGRAPHIG-PRINTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec.30, 1913.

Application filed Kay 7, 1912. Serial No. 695,741.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JUDsoN L. HIGGIN- BOTHAM, citizen of the United States, residing at Dallas, in the county of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Photographic- Printing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in photographic printing machines. Its object is to provide a machine that will facilitate the process of making photographic prints, and more particularly prints of the class known as souvenir post cards.

The object of the invention more specifically stated is to provide a frame in which two photographic negatives may be adjacently mounted, and so arranged that the operator, by using both hands, may simulta neously drop two sensitized blanks in front of said negatives, the subsequent operation of a foot pedal being adapted to first move the two pressure backs through such a displacement as to press the sensitized blanks into firm contact with the negative, the same operation of the foo-t pedal causing a shutter to be subsequently opened, permitting a sufficient supply of light for producing the prints, to reach the negatives.

A further feature of the invention lies in the provision of a mechanism for automati cally returning the pressure backs to their normal positions, spaced from the negatives when the foot pedal is. released by the op erator.

A still further feature lies in the provision of a means for holding the sensitized blanks in front of the negative until they are acted upon by the pressure backs, and in arranging for the automatic withdrawal of this supporting means, as the pressure backs return to their normal positions.

Finally, the object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described that will be strong, durable, simple and eflicient and comparatively easy to construct, and also one, the various parts of which will not be likely to get out of working order.

WVith these and various other objects in view, my invention has relation to certain novel features of the construction and operation, an example of which is described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention, the various parts thereof being shown in their normal positions, such as they occupy when no pressure is placed upon the foot pedal, previously mentioned, but not shown in this figure. Fig. 2 is a vertical, sectional view of the machine, the section being taken upon the line AA of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is another view of the machine in perspective, showing the same mounted upon a window through which is received the light necessary to accomplish the process of print ing, the hinged frame, provided at the front of the machine casing being shown swung open. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing a. light metal strip mounted upon the extremity of a spring and provided with a notch in its under side adapted to be engaged by a pawl.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate similar parts in all the figures, the numeral 1 denotes the top and bottom walls of a casing having an open back, the side walls thereof being designated by the nu meral 2. The top and bottom walls are inclined toward each other from back to front of the casing, this being also true of the side walls. The front wall of the casing, which is denoted by the numeral 8, has preferably a width considerably greater than its height, and is provided with two rectangular apertures 4i occupying the greater portion of its area. The dimensions of the apertures 4 will be slightly less than those of the photographic plates or negatives 5 from which the machine is constructed to make prints. The glass negatives are superimposed upon the apertures 4, as is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, said plates being held in such positions by adhesive tape or other suitable means.

The front wall of the casing is normally covered by a rectangular frame 6, having hinged connection at one extremity with the adjacent end of the front wall, as indicated by the numeral 7'. The frame 6 is provided with two rectangular apertures 8, the dimensions of which are substantially equal to those of the photographic negatives 5. The arrangement of the apertures 8 in the frame 6 corresponds to the arrangement of the apertures e in the front wall of the casing, so that the apertures l and 8 have a symmetrical relation to each other when the frame 6 is in its normal position contiguous with the front wall of the casing. The strips of material lying directly above and below the apertures 8 are considerably reduced in thickness by the provision of wide grooves or channels 9 upon the rear surface of the frame 6. Each of the apertures 8 contains a pressure-back 10, spaced suiliciently from the aperture w lls that it may be free to undergo a slight displacement in the aperture transverse with the frame The backs are rigidly connected by a pair of parallel bars 11, which, when the machine is in its operative position, are horizontally disposed. At their centers, these bars are connected by a vertical brace member 12. The rigid connection established by the two bars 11 adapts the two p sure backs to move in unison between their two limiting positions, which will now be explained. lilach pressure back is acted upon by a pair of looped springs 13, under a tension which tend to displace the pressure backs outwardly from the photographic plates 5. The two springs 13 acting on each pressure-back have one of their extremities secured to the front of the pressure-back adjacent to one lateral edge, the other extremities of the two springs being secured to the adjacent extroi'nities of the frame 6.

In order to take the weight of the pressure-backs 10 off of the lower sills of the apertures 8, a looped spring 14-. is centrally disposed beneath each pressure-back and is made to exert an upward pressure upon the same, one extremity of each spring 1 1: being made to engage beneath the lowermost bar 11 secured to the pressure back correlated with said spring, the other extremity of the spring being attached to the lower edge of the frame The expansive force acting in the springs 14- is just suflicient to counteract the weight of the correlated pressurebacks, thus making the pressure-backs free to undergo adjustment transverse of the frame (3 ith a minimum friction. The amount of outward displacement which it is possible for each pressure-back to undergo is limited y a pair of brackets 15 attached to the front of the frame (5, one of which engages the upper edge of each pres sure-back, and the other the outermost lateral edge of the same. l-Vhen the two pressure-backs in their outermost limiting positions, their inner surfaces will be substantially fish with the parallel faces of the channels 9, is clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Centrally beneath each pressure-back 10, a forwardly projecting ar 16 is mounted closely adjacent to the lower edge of the frame (3. To the forward extremity of each bar 16 is secured one extremity of a looped spring 17, the other end of said spring being made to carry a light strip of metal 18 pro jecting through a groove 19 transversely provided in the bottom edge of each pressure back. The expansive action of the looped spring 17 has the effect of normally holding the free ends of the metal strips 18 in contact with the bottom edges of the photographic plates, which are mounted upon the front of the casing. The size of the strips 18 and of the channels 19 receiving said strips are so proportioned that the strips are held in a substantially horizontal position without being restricted from a motion longitudinal with said channel. The free ends of the metal strips 18 serve to support sensitized blanks in front of the negatives 5 during the momentary period which is allowed to elapse after said blanks have been dropped into place before the pressurebacks are made to act upon the blanks. A description will now be given of a device automatically operated through the outward displacement of the pres are-backs, and serving to simultaneously produce a slight outward displacement of the strips 18, permitting said strips to again move inward after the sensitized blanks which were supported by said strips have fallen down through lower channels. Upon the front surface of each pressure-back, adjacent to the lower edge thereof, a pair of small bearings 20 are secured, and in said bearings a rock-shaft 21 is mounted. One extremity of said rock-shaft is made to project some distance beyond the adjacent pressure-back 10 and is bent rcarwardly at right angles, a weight 22 being carried by said extremity, which weight impresses upon the rock-shaft a constant tendency to undergo a partial rotation. he rock-shaft 21 is mounted just below the two metal strips 18 and carries two rigidly mounted dogs 23, which, owing to the impulse of rotation comn'iunicated to the rock-shaft by the weight 22, have their extremities constantly bearing upwardly upon the strips 18. lVhen the pressurebacks are moved inwardly from the position, which they are shown to occupy in the drawings, the rock-shaft 21 being mounted upon said pressure-backs, will undergo a similar displacement, which dis 'ilacement will be sufficient to permit each of the pawls 23 to enter a notch 24- transversely provided in the under side of the correlated strips 18. hen the pressure backs are again displaced cutwardly toward their normal po sitions, the strips 18, owing to their ongagement by the pawls 23, will also be outwardly displaced. During the first part of this displacement the sensitized blanks, one of which was supported by the free end of each strip 18 will drop through the channels 9, provided for that purpose. During the immediately return to their normal positions contiguous with the lower edges of the plates 5.

In the front portion of the casing, there is mounted an open frame 27 consisting of a pair of parallel strips secured to the side walls of the casing and inclined slightly to the rear from top to bottom, and a pair of parallel, horizontal strips secured to the top and bottom walls of the casing and connecting the upper and lower extremities of the lateral strips. A hinged shutter 28 rests upon the frame 27, its edges sufficiently overlapping those of the frame to prevent the passage of light between the frame and shutter. The shutter is hinged at its upper edge on a pintle 29 mounted upon the uppermost horizontal strip of the frame 27. One extremity of the pintle 29 is projected through the correlated side wall' of the casing, and is made to carry a crank which projects downwardly, as shown in Fig. 1, when the shutter is in its closed position.

A description will now be given of a mechanism which by a single operation permits the two pressure-backs to be displaced inwardly and the crank 30 to be acted upon, causing the shutter to be opened. Upon the outer surface of the side walls through which the pintle 29 is passed, an angular slide bracket 31 is horizontally mounted. Said bracket supports an elongated casing 32, open at its side and adapted to undergo a longitudinal sliding displacement upon said bracket. A curved trip arm 33 projecting upwardly from the top of the casing 32 is adapted to contact with the crank.30 and to produce a rotation of said crank through approximately 90 degrees. A circular rod 34 extends lengthwise of the casing 32, being passed through the front extremity thereof. The casing 32 and the rod 34 are adapted to undergo a longitudinal, sliding displacement relative to each other, as presently will be made clear. Normally, however, the circular rod extends into the casing almost to the rear extremity thereof, being thus held by means of a coiled spring 35, having its rear rigidly attached to the rear end of the rod 34, and having its forward end bearing upon the forward end of the casing. Owing to the expansive energy of the spring, it tends to resist any force tending to move the easing rearwardly relative to the rod. The front portion of the rod 34 outside of the casing 32 carries a rectangular block 36 which projects forwardly a short distance beyond the front wall of the casing. A horizontal bar 37 has a hinged connection established between one of its extremities and the forward end of the block 36, the other end of the bar 37 being hinged upon the outer end of a post 38, projecting forwardly from the opposite, lateral edge of the frame 6 to that which is adjacent to the post 36. It will thus be seen that the bar 37 extends across the front of the casing a short space from the member 6. To the rear end of the casing 32, there is attached a cord 39, which after being extended rearwardly beyond the bracket 31, is carried over a small pulley 40 and passed downwardly to a point adjacent to the floor. The lower end of the cord 39 is attached to a foot pedal 41, which pedal is normally held in a raised position by a spring 42, and when subjected to a downward pressure by the operator, is adapted to exert a tension upon the cord 39. At the center of the vertical strip 12 is carried a button 43, with which the middle portion of the horizontal bar 37 is adapted to contact when said bar is displaced inwardly toward the casing.

Upon the top of the front wall of the casing just above the two channels 9, are mounted two chutes 44,the dimensions of said chutes being such as to readily permit the photographic prints to drop through the same, through the channels 9 into their positions before the negatives 5. The metal forming the chutes 44 is bent rearwardly, and in each case is made to form a receptacle 45, resting upon the top of the casing and adapted to contain a plurality of the sensitized blanks, holding the same closely adjacent to the the chutes 44 so as to minimize the work of the operator in transferring said blanks from the receptacles 45 to the chutes 44. A large receptacle 46, extending the entire width of the casing is mounted beneath the latter, the same being extended forwardly at a slight downwardly inclination, its middle portion being located beneath the lower channels 9 from which the printed blanks are discharged.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings aground glass 47 is shown vertically mounted within the casing between the front thereof and the shutter 28. Said glass is adapted to be introduced into the casing or withdrawn therefrom through a slot 48 provided in one of the side walls, it being understood, of course, that the use of the ground glass is optional with the operator.

The above described photographic printing machine when being used is preferably mounted as shown in Fig. 3, with its open back contiguous with a pane of a window.

The balance of the window will be darkened preventing any light from having access to the room while the machine is being used, except through the casing of the machine. The operator will work by a ruby-light or some other source of illumination that will not be injurious to the sensitized paper. Standing in front of the machine, the op erator will pick up a sensitized blank in ach hand, taking said blank from the holders These blanks he will simultaneously drop through the chutes 4st where they .will fall to a position respectively in front of the negatives 5, being supported in such positions by the free ends of the metal strips 18, Immediately after having dropped the cards into place, the operator will exertpressure upon the foot pedal 41, thus placing a tension upon the cord 39. As a result, the casing 32 will begin to undergo a rearward displacement simultaneously producing a compression of the spring 86. Before the casing 82 has been rearwardly displaced sufiiciently to bring the arm 33 into contact with the crank 30, the spring 36 will have been sufficiently compressed to overcome the expansive action of the springs 13, and therefore under compression of the bar 37, the pressure-backs 10 will be forced inward, bringing the two sensitized blanks into firm contact with the negatives 5. Since the circular rod 3% can now move no farther rearwardly, the casing 32 in its further displacement will slide upon said rod, the spring 36 being thus still further com pressed. By the time that the spring 36 has reached its limit of possible compression, the strip contacting with the crank 30 will have swung said crank through approximately 90 degrees, thus opening the shutter 28. While the shutter is held open, light will have access to casing and to the negatives 5, and the operator will maintain a pressure upon the foot pedal a1 for a sufficient time to permit the light to accomplish its work in making the prints. He will then release his pressure upon the foot pedal, and the action of the springs 36 and 13 will cause the casing 82 and the pressure backs 10 to return to their normal positions. It has been previously explained how the outward movement of the pressure-backs causes a momentary outward displacement of the strips 18 suflicient to release the sensitized blanks which have been subjected to the light, said strips being again displaced inwardly after the blanks have fallen into the receptacle 4E6.

It will, of course, be understood that if desired, an artificial light may be employed rather than the natural light from a window. It is also apparent that the construc tion of the machine may be modified and varied in a number of ways without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advan tages of the invention. The same is therefore presented as including all such changes and modifications as come within the scope of the following claims:

IV hat I claim is:

1. In a photographic printing machine, the combination with a casing, having its rear end open, of negative-receiving frame mounted in the front end of said casing, a shutter within the casing interposed between the open rear end thereof and the negat-ive-receiving frame, a pressureback mounted in front of the casing, and adjustable toward and from the negative-receiving frame, resilient means by which the pressure-back is normally held spaced from the negative-receiving frame, a bar extending across the front of the casing contacting with the pressure back and adapted to undergo a slight rearward displacement sufficient to displace the pressure-back to its rearward limiting position, a sliding member mounted upon one side of the casing having its front end engaging said bar, means for subjecting said sliding member to a rearward displacement, and a crank by which the shutter may be swung open adapt ed to be actuated by said sliding member subsequent to the rearward displacement of the pressure-back.

2. In a photographic printing machine, a casing having its rear end open, provision on the rear end of the casing for receiving a negative in fixed relation thereto, a frame mounted on the casing adjacent its rear opening, the frame having a vertical channel proportioned to receive a sheet of sensitized paper, a device projecting across the channel having provision for supporting a sheet of sensitized paper in the channel, a pressure back mounted in the frame and arranged to move bodily from and toward the rear opening of the casing in line therewith, means normally holding the back within the frame and serving to return it thereto, means for moving the pressure back toward the casing opening across the channel of the frame, a device for retracting the paper supporting device having operating means in the path of the pressure back, a shutter mounted in the casing, and a shutter swinging member connected to the shutter and extending exteriorly of the casing, in combination with a common operating apparatus comprising a movable member arranged to apply pressure to the pressure back and having a projection in the path of which the shutter swinging member is located.

3. In a photographic printing machine, the combination of a casing having a rear negative exposure opening, and arranged to support a negative across said opening, a frame mounted on the casing and having a vertical channel contiguous to the negative exposure opening of the casing, a pressure opening across the channel, spring members attached to the back and normally holding the same within the frame, means mounted on the frame and including an operating member arranged to move the pressure back inward, and a retractable paper holding device projecting across the channel of the frame and having cooperative relation with the pressure back.

4. In a photographic printing machine,

the combination of a casing having an opening at its rear end, a frame mounted on the rear end of the casing around the exposure opening and having a vertical channel extending across the exposure opening of the casing and open at its top and bottom, a pressure back normally retained in the frame arranged movable transversely of the channel of said frame, a spring pressed paper support projecting through the frame and across the channel, a rocking member mounted on the pressure back and having a projection engaging the paper support, and a releasing device carried by the frame in the path of the rocking member.

5. In a photographic printing machine, the combination of a casing having an Copies of thil patent may be obtained for opening at its rear end, a frame mounted on the end of the casing around the exposure opening and having a vertical channel extending across the exposure opening of the casing and open at its top and bottom, a

pressure back normally retained in the frame arranged movable transversely of the channel of said frame, a spring pressed paper support projecting through the frame and across the channel, a rocking member mounted on the pressure back and having a projection engaging the paper support, a releasing device carried by the frame in the path of the rocking member, a shutter hinged in the casing in advance of the exposure opening thereof, a shutter operating member projecting on the outside of the casing, an operating member mounted on the frame and associated with the pressure back, and a common operating device associated with the shutter operating member and the pressure back operating member.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J UDSON L. HIGGINBOTHAM.

Witnesses:

J. T. MURRAY, D. C. RAMSEY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

